Rob Ceravolo, chief executive and president of the Key West-based
seaplane outfit, Tropic Ocean Airways, told Tribune Business he had been
well-received by Bimini residents after being approved to operate into
the Bahamas last June.
Mr Ceravolo told Tribune Business: "I used to travel to Bimini. I always
thought it would be a good idea to start a seaplane service there. We
had a lot of calls for it, and we decided to try it out.
"We started out in Key West last June. Our first Bimini flight was last
June. Since then we have been operating on-demand service. We are hoping
to add Miami and West Palm Beach later on, but we are taking it one
step at a time. My company doesn't have any big financial backer. I've
been doing this on my own, on a navy pilot's salary."
Mr Ceravolo said he had invested about $200,000 of his own money into
the company, and added: "I started out with just myself and a friend of
mine, and we added three pilots. In less than a year we have grown a
ton. Our planes are very well kept. If you take care of your planes they
will take care of you.
"We have very strict standards and operating procedures. I've probably
invested $200,000 of my own money. I sold a house to help make this
happen. You can say this is my retirement plan. We have been very well
received by the locals here in Bimini."
Mr Ceravolo said the seaplanes currently have the capacity to carry up
to five passengers; four at a time on the scheduled flights. "We are
hoping to invest in larger seaplanes. If we see a very big demand and
need more capacity we will be looking at the Cessna Caravan, but right
now it's just a step-by-step approach."
The flights are about 35 minutes, and will land in the harbour on North
Bimini, allowing passengers to disembark at the seaplane ramp just
blocks away from Guy Harvey's Big Game Club and Bimini Bay, avoiding the
long taxi and ferry boat ride required if passengers arrive at the
South Bimini airport.
Tropic is teaming up with the Big Game Club and Bimini Watersports to
offer guests an adventure travel package including airfare,
accommodations, and water sports activities.
Bimini Big Game general manager, Michael Weber, told Tribune Business:
"We are in the process of purchasing a floating dock, which will be on
the south side of the property. That will enable the plane to disembark
right at the resort. It will be treated like a boat would. It's all very
exciting. Right now they will disembark at the old Chalk's ramp."
In the year since it began operations ,the airline has had some notable
flights, including donating two flights to transport Christmas gifts to
the children of Bimini as well as bringing John Hemingway, grandson of
Ernest Hemingway, back to the island.
Source: http://www.tribune242.com
Source: http://www.tribune242.com
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